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The Montreal Canadiens enter their final stretch with maximum confidence, thanks to the team’s recent performances. After all, the Tricolore is only four points away from a playoff berth, which is no mean feat. However, we start separating the men from the children in January.
And if Brendan Gallagher’s speech is anything to go by, the team is pumped up for the second half of the campaign, especially as Martin St-Louis’ schemes are becoming more and more assimilated.
“Our goal is to compete with anyone. We believe that if we consistently bring our best hockey, we can play with the best teams in this league. That’s our goal!” – Gallagher
#Habs Brendan Gallagher: “our goal is to compete with anyone; we feel like if we consistently bring our best hockey we’re able to play with the best teams in this League – it’s just a matter of doing it consistently and that’s our goal”
– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 27, 2023
If we decipher Gally‘s speech, we can see that his confidence is perhaps a little excessive. But like a politician, he has to say things like that in front of the media. But this group seems to believe it more and more. It seems to me that something is forming, doesn’t it?
One of these “formations” (or rather, developments) is undoubtedly Juraj Slafkovsky. Slaf had the breakthrough that many had been waiting for, and since then he has been one of the band’s three main players.
“I think he’s gained a lot of confidence in us, playing a lot. He’s certainly progressed and played some good games with us. It was fun playing with him. He seems really confident right now, so I just want that to continue for him.” – Suzuki
“I think he got a lot of confidence being put with us, playing a lot. He’s stepped up for sure, playing good games with us. It’s been fun to play with him. He seems really confident right now, so just wanna keep that going for him.” – Nick Suzuki on Juraj Slafkovsky pic.twitter.com/oCzX4Ew0R1
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 27, 2023
In the end, does the blue-white-and-red have the depth and talent of a team like the Vancouver Canucks, for example? The answer is no. On the other hand, if all the concepts are applied to perfection, it could work. Except that perfection doesn’t really exist…
Breaking news
– Nick Suzuki is no Patrice Bergeron, but he stands out defensively.
To be clear, we don’t think Nick Suzuki will ever become the new Patrice Bergeron. However if media wants to praise Suzuki’s defensive game, this is that year. Don’t forget that Nick Suzuki is still only 24 years old. Could be very, very good two-way 1C for many years. pic.twitter.com/1b6JgYEPII
– Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) December 27, 2023
– Speaking of Slaf‘s confidence.
#GoalHabsGoal pic.twitter.com/UxkNZzSySs
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 27, 2023
– Samuel Montembeault will be a one-time starter this week.
Cayden Primeau will face the Hurricanes on Thursday night!
*Note that Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault will split their duties against the Panthers (Saturday) and Lightning (Sunday) pic.twitter.com/yZeJemzSzy
– RDS (@RDSca) December 27, 2023
– If you missed the coach’s media availability.
Tune in now to live Canadiens media availability
Tune in now to live Canadiens media ops from practice #GoHabsGo https://t.co/MbSDy4sEgB
– Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 27, 2023
